William Quantrill's guerrillas/partisans

[Booner]

How much gloryseeking could he do when his men had abandoned him as a fraud and dandy?

Most rejected leaders retire, what else can they do? In 65 he gathers what few he can, and trys to escape, again rather self serving motivation........

I tend to think to use the phrase earlier, he milked the Walker raid for about a year and half...............

His various prewar stories he told different people didn't add up......nor did his motivation, which was highlighted by Lawrence IMO, which he played up and sold as a vengeance raid to set things right.......what vengeance did he take? Instead he walked around Lawrence as some sort of self proclaimed celebrity protecting various people instead of taking any revenge..........I tend to think his fall was so complete, because he was increasingly seen as a total fraud, both in his accounts and motivation.

If what you say is true, then after the war when all of the old guard were writing the memories of the war, they never depicted Quantrill as you do. They speak of him in respectful terms, how fierce he was in battle, and at other times how he could be as gentle as a woman, (in the 19th century this wasn't seen as a bad thing). There was never any word spoken about his vanity, nor at least none that I can recall. And then the survivors had their Quantrill reunions for several years, I can't recall any named after Anderson.
You call what he did in '65 self-serving. I call it self-preservation. He could have grabbed Kate and the two of them get out of the state, because there was no way he could surrender in Missouri and lived. Yet he took 25-30 of men who had ridden with them and went to Kentucy. Why he stayed there and not continued east I can't figure out. By the summer of '63 I think he'd reached his limit as far as the war was concerned, plus he had fallen in love with Kate King. He'd already turned command of the various groups of guerrillas over to their captains earlier in the summer and perhaps that was his undoing. He no longer had direct command over these men. They were being commanded by Anderson and Todd. Their captains were directly involved in the fighting while Quantrill wanted to be some kind of overlord master tactician, and spending time with Kate as they got shot at. So it's easy to see at a squad level who these men came to view as their leader. And the leaders such as Todd and Anderson had their own views on how they wanted to fight. Can you imagine how very difficult it would be to try and control someone like Anderson? It's pretty easy for me to see how Quantrill lost his command. He gave his captains too much independence and it came back to bite him. And he still hung around on the edges of them ever when Anderson called him a coward at Fayette. And in '65 somehow managed to gather a small group of them and lead them out of the state when he and Kate could have headed to Texas or somewhere else that provided them with safety. I think it was because he still cared very deeply for those men when had at one time ridden with him. I just don't see Quantrill in the same way you do.

 

[Quantrill's Missouri]

I didn't think Quantrill was self serving. I believe when Todd backed him down in the game of cards, he lost all control and respect. His leadership ended that moment.

 

[archieclement]

If what you say is true, then after the war when all of the old guard were writing the memories of the war, they never depicted Quantrill as you do. They speak of him in respectful terms, how fierce he was in battle, and at other times how he could be as gentle as a woman, (in the 19th century this wasn't seen as a bad thing). There was never any word spoken about his vanity, nor at least none that I can recall. And then the survivors had their Quantrill reunions for several years, I can't recall any named after Anderson.
You call what he did in '65 self-serving. I call it self-preservation. He could have grabbed Kate and the two of them get out of the state, because there was no way he could surrender in Missouri and lived. Yet he took 25-30 of men who had ridden with them and went to Kentucy. Why he stayed there and not continued east I can't figure out. By the summer of '63 I think he'd reached his limit as far as the war was concerned, plus he had fallen in love with Kate King. He'd already turned command of the various groups of guerrillas over to their captains earlier in the summer and perhaps that was his undoing. He no longer had direct command over these men. They were being commanded by Anderson and Todd. Their captains were directly involved in the fighting while Quantrill wanted to be some kind of overlord master tactician, and spending time with Kate as they got shot at. So it's easy to see at a squad level who these men came to view as their leader. And the leaders such as Todd and Anderson had their own views on how they wanted to fight. Can you imagine how very difficult it would be to try and control someone like Anderson? It's pretty easy for me to see how Quantrill lost his command. He gave his captains too much independence and it came back to bite him. And he still hung around on the edges of them ever when Anderson called him a coward at Fayette. And in '65 somehow managed to gather a small group of them and lead them out of the state when he and Kate could have headed to Texas or somewhere else that provided them with safety. I think it was because he still cared very deeply for those men when had at one time ridden with him. I just don't see Quantrill in the same way you do.

Well regardless there's little doubt he fell from grace, rather completely and quickly. That's not very indicative of respect or admiration.

I'll agree it's somewhat odd very little apparently was said of why? But he certainly fell. The reasons I gave are what I see most likely as nothing else really fits. Certainly his actions at Lawrence didn't really fit what he billed the purpose of the raid as. It would hardly seem a coincidence his fall occurs afterward.

Certainly you see little ill spoke of any guerrilla by other guerrillas......whether Q, Todd, Anderson, Poole, Jackson, Clement ect. It would appear what happened within the brotherhood, largely stayed in the brotherhood. Though during the war, only one lost standing as a leader that dramatically......Q.

 

[Booner]

sorry - double post- poor internet connection

 

[Booner]

I didn't think Quantrill was self serving. I believe when Todd backed him down in the game of cards, he lost all control and respect. His leadership ended that moment.

I'd like to know more about Todd. He's always been a mystery man to me.
Where most people want to know what someone did, I want to know why they did it, and I've never been able to find much information on Todd to have an opinion.

 

[archieclement]

Most the Captains, Todd, Clement, Poole, Jackson seem largely mysteries pre-war. Only Q and Anderson have much known, and wonder how accurate some of it is.

Some accounts had Jackson as a Texas Ranger

 

[Patrick H]

Have you have seen a picture of the lovely Kate King?
If the picture I have is of her, I'd say Q had good taste in women. I'd spend a summer with her. Maybe into fall and football season. Hmm. I'll have to think about that. It would depend on how my summer went.

...and maybe how the Chiefs were doing...

 

[Lost Cause]

If what you say is true, then after the war when all of the old guard were writing the memories of the war, they never depicted Quantrill as you do. They speak of him in respectful terms, how fierce he was in battle, and at other times how he could be as gentle as a woman, (in the 19th century this wasn't seen as a bad thing). There was never any word spoken about his vanity, nor at least none that I can recall. And then the survivors had their Quantrill reunions for several years, I can't recall any named after Anderson.
You call what he did in '65 self-serving. I call it self-preservation. He could have grabbed Kate and the two of them get out of the state, because there was no way he could surrender in Missouri and lived. Yet he took 25-30 of men who had ridden with them and went to Kentucy. Why he stayed there and not continued east I can't figure out. By the summer of '63 I think he'd reached his limit as far as the war was concerned, plus he had fallen in love with Kate King. He'd already turned command of the various groups of guerrillas over to their captains earlier in the summer and perhaps that was his undoing. He no longer had direct command over these men. They were being commanded by Anderson and Todd. Their captains were directly involved in the fighting while Quantrill wanted to be some kind of overlord master tactician, and spending time with Kate as they got shot at. So it's easy to see at a squad level who these men came to view as their leader. And the leaders such as Todd and Anderson had their own views on how they wanted to fight. Can you imagine how very difficult it would be to try and control someone like Anderson? It's pretty easy for me to see how Quantrill lost his command. He gave his captains too much independence and it came back to bite him. And he still hung around on the edges of them ever when Anderson called him a coward at Fayette. And in '65 somehow managed to gather a small group of them and lead them out of the state when he and Kate could have headed to Texas or somewhere else that provided them with safety. I think it was because he still cared very deeply for those men when had at one time ridden with him. I just don't see Quantrill in the same way you do.

Quantrill and Anderson had their quarrels when Quantrill refused a second attempt to capture Fort Blair at Baxter Springs. I also believe Quantrill cared for his men as a reason to bypass the fort and head to Texas vs. lack of fortitude considering the number of casualties they inflicted prior to refusing to attack.

 

[archieclement]

Quantrill and Anderson had their quarrels when Quantrill refused a second attempt to capture Fort Blair at Baxter Springs. I also believe Quantrill cared for his men as a reason to bypass the fort and head to Texas vs. lack of fortitude considering the number of casualties they inflicted prior to refusing to attack.

Think to a large degree that wasn't much a consideration for most his men.

When you knowingly join a unit that you know no quarter is given to, don't think many expected to survive the war. Once read an account of how German troops could perform well late war with so much adversity against them. It made the argument troops can become so jaded to death, that it's no longer a consideration, as it's expected.

Anderson himself summed up the sentiment.......I ask for no quarter, and will give none.

The majority who joined, or temporarily rode with the guerrillas knew it carried a death sentence, and did so anyway.

 

[Lost Cause]

Think to a large degree that wasn't much a consideration for most his men.

When you knowingly join a unit that you know no quarter is given to, don't think many expected to survive the war. Once read an account of how German troops could perform well late war with so much adversity against them. It made the argument troops can become so jaded to death, that it's no longer a consideration, as it's expected.

Anderson himself summed up the sentiment.......I ask for no quarter, and will give none.

The majority who joined, or temporarily rode with the guerrillas knew it carried a death sentence, and did so anyway.

Good point, adding they often either became a product of the war or war was their product. This is probably why we have not read about post war Anderson reunions.

It is interesting to read about Anderson when he did occasionally provide quarter. As I recall, Union Sgt, Goodman, days after surviving the train station at Centralia, escaped to his own lines wearing a jacket Anderson provided him. Also, Anderson allegedly reimbursed someone he knew who had been robbed by the guerilla's on the way to Lawrence.

 

[Bill Mountjoy]

Many opine that the Lawrence raid was partly in retaliation for the following (article written in 2017):

Collapse of a Prison in Kansas City Led to the Lawrence Massacre 154 Years Ago

By Diane Euston

August 13th marks the 154th anniversary of the Union Prison collapse during the Civil War that killed four women instantly and was the spark that led to the deaths of innocent men and boys in Lawrence, Ks.

In what is now the heart of the city at 1409 Grand Ave. near the Sprint Center was the location where a three-story brick building owned by the estate of George Caleb Bingham's father-in-law. This building was transformed from a tavern into a jail in July 1863.

Brigadier General Thomas Ewing, who was in charge of the District of the Border (including all of Kansas and western Missouri), was growing desperate to find a solution to the guerilla warfare along the border. It was known that young women in the area, including many living in the area of southern Jackson Co., were aiding bushwhackers, including infamous William Clarke Quantrill.

Border Wars to Civil War

Jackson County rural farms had been under attack well before the Civil War broke out in 1861. Starting around 1854, anti-slavery bands had begun pouring into the area, pillaging properties and burning homes. Pro-slavery "border ruffians" began to form in small communities and storm into Kansas. The women of the area were left behind, many with their husbands gone "in the brush." After the Civil War began, these men opted to stay in guerilla bands instead of enlisting into service and continued to invade neighboring Kansas, seeking shelter with allies along the border.

Wishing to "keep the peace" and find a non-violent solution to a growing problem, Gen. Ewing ordered that Union officers begin arresting young women who were known to be attached to these fearless, violent guerillas. Women during the Civil War were considered to be off-limits, so the arrests came as a surprise to many.

Nevertheless, young women with bushwhacker ties were found with gunpowder up their skirts and suspicious amounts of cash. They were arrested and held with no bail with the intention of removing them to St. Louis, Mo. where they were to be put on trial. Makeshift prisons around Kansas City had to be erected to hold them. The three-story building at 1409 Grand was chosen to hold about 20 women prisoners.

Marker at 1409 Grand Ave in downtown Kansas City.
Union Prison Collapse

The prisoners were held on upper floors, including the third floor that once was George Caleb Bingham's art studio and was added by the artist himself. Guards were stationed on the main floor and in the cellar. To make extra space available, it was said that the Union removed some support beams of the brick structure.

Elijah M. McGee was present at Union Prison before it fell. In an affidavit, he swore two or three beams "had been cut away from the girders or center beam" and the remaining building supports "had already sunk some two or three feet."

Around dinnertime on August 13th, the building cracked and crumbled to the ground with 17 women, one boy and one guard inside. Four women were killed from being crushed by the collapse and another died days later from her injuries.

One prisoner, the youngest sister of William "Bloody Bill" Anderson, had been chained to a bed for being disobedient. She suffered a crippling back injury and two broken legs. Charity Kerr, sister of John McCorkle (one of Quantrill's men), was killed. Susan Vandever and Armenia Whitsett Selvey, cousins of Cole Younger (another member of Quantrill's men and later a member of the James-Younger gang), were also among the victims. To add insult to injury, another of Bloody Bill Anderson's sister's, 15-year-old Josephine, was crushed to death on this fateful day.

Border Ruffians Enraged

John McCorkle, who lost his sister in the collapse, wrote after the war, "We could stand no more. . . innocent and beautiful girls had been murdered in a most foul, brutal, savage and damnable manner. We were determined to have our revenge."

Quantrill and his men were enraged when they heard the news of the death of their allies and family. Taking refuge at farmhouses nearby, Quantrill and his men plotted their revenge. Lawrence, Ks., a Union town with strong ties to the Jayhawkers who had consistently attacked farms in western Missouri, was a perfect target.

Farms in Washington Township, which includes present-day Martin City, Grandview and Raytown, had suffered serious damage by these Jayhawkers in the past. In March 1863, the Jayhawkers had invaded the area to remove the civilian support of these guerillas. They used severe tactics, including the burning of homes and execution of many, to get their message across. In "The History of Washington Township" written by historian Harvey H. Kemper, he wrote, "Before the raid [on Lawrence] a small army concentrated in Washington Township which was believed to have been at or near what is now Kernodle's Park" (just east of Blue River Rd. on Martha Truman Rd).

William "Bloody Bill" Anderson
Quantrill's Sack of Lawrence

Quantrill and his men considered any crime against women- especially Southern, "God-fearing" women- to be a severe, punishable act. Quantrill and the guerillas meticulously mapped their route and headed into Kansas on August 21st, just eight days after the prison collapse. Arriving at dawn with about 400 Confederate guerillas (including McCorkle, Cole Younger, "Bloody Bill" Anderson and George M. Todd, whose father had built the original Red Bridge), they rode into Lawrence with payback on their minds.

As the men stormed into Lawrence, Quantrill yelled his last order to his men. "Kill every man big enough to carry a gun," he shouted as he secured four revolvers on his belt.

The first victim, Rev. Snyder was ambushed near his home as he harmlessly milked his cow. The attack was well-organized; every man had an assignment to carry out. They screamed and shouted as the 400 men swooped through the streets, setting fire to over a quarter of the buildings, homes and barns.

Rev. Hugh D. Fisher, a Methodist minister who escaped the Lawrence Massacre by concealing himself under a rug, transcribed his eyewitness account in "Gun and the Gospel." He wrote of numerous events he saw that day, including the murder of John Carpenter. Carpenter, in ill health, had tried to run from his home to escape the guerillas. He was chased by the armed men, and as his wife knew he was certainly going to be caught, she fell on top of Carpenter and sheltered him in her skirt.

Rev. Fisher wrote, "She fell with him and again they tore her partially from him and finished their crime by repeatedly turning their revolvers upon him while still she clung to him and begged for mercy and his life."

The Aftermath of Vengeance

This repulsive, unrelenting raid became known as one of the most significant and bloody events against civilians during the Civil War. Called "Quantrill's Raid" or the "Lawrence Massacre," around 160 to 190 men and boys were murdered. Corpses littered the dusty streets of Lawrence, then a town of about 3,000.

The Union Prison collapse 154 years ago created the foundation of one of the most unimaginable attacks on innocent civilians in American history. These two inconceivable events steered the course of the war along the border, reminding us even today that hearts were heavy with resentment. There was demand for retribution that seethed on both sides of the state line.



*In the next issue, learn about the highly controversial General Order No. 11, which was in direct response to Quantrill's Raid on Lawrence and how it devastated the area.

Diane writes a blog about the history of the area. To read the stories, go to http://www.newsantafetrailer.blogspot.com

 

[Patrick H]

The Union Prison collapse 154 years ago created the foundation of one of the most unimaginable attacks on innocent civilians in American history.

This is the crux of the contoversy, right here. I realize I am about to poke a hornet's nest of opinion. Twenty years ago I totally agreed with the concept that this was an attack on innocent civilians. I have since been persuaded that most able bodied males in Lawrence were members of militias and all were aware of the criminal enterprise in the trading of stolen goods that was occurring in their town. Lawrence was a very real military target--one that many of the Q-men did NOT want to attack, because it was deemed too dangerous. Q used the jail collapse to motivate the men to attack in revenge, and it turned out to be an effective bit of leverage. The Lawrence raid was far from unprecedented, but most people are unaware of Jim Lane's long raid through Missouri. Lane's raid destroyed many towns, culminating in the utter destruction of Osceola, in which two buildings were left standing. The raids of Lane, Montgomery, and Jennison killed as many or more civilians than Quantrill's raid, although not all at the same time. All that having been written, I don't believe revenge is ever a good justification for anything, but there you have it.

 

[Quantrill's Missouri]

This is the crux of the contoversy, right here. I realize I am about to poke a hornet's nest of opinion. Twenty years ago I totally agreed with the concept that this was an attack on innocent civilians. I have since been persuaded that most able bodied males in Lawrence were members of militias and all were aware of the criminal enterprise in the trading of stolen goods that was occurring in their town. Lawrence was a very real military target--one that many of the Q-men did NOT want to attack, because it was deemed too dangerous. Q used the jail collapse to motivate the men to attack in revenge, and it turned out to be an effective bit of leverage. The Lawrence raid was far from unprecedented, but most people are unaware of Jim Lane's long raid through Missouri. Lane's raid destroyed many towns, culminating in the utter destruction of Osceola, in which two buildings were left standing. The raids of Lane, Montgomery, and Jennison killed as many or more civilians than Quantrill's raid, although not all at the same time. All that having been written, I don't believe revenge is ever a good justification for anything, but there you have it.

And some Osceola possessions were found in Lawrence houses.

 

[archieclement]

This is the crux of the contoversy, right here. I realize I am about to poke a hornet's nest of opinion. Twenty years ago I totally agreed with the concept that this was an attack on innocent civilians. I have since been persuaded that most able bodied males in Lawrence were members of militias and all were aware of the criminal enterprise in the trading of stolen goods that was occurring in their town. Lawrence was a very real military target--one that many of the Q-men did NOT want to attack, because it was deemed too dangerous. Q used the jail collapse to motivate the men to attack in revenge, and it turned out to be an effective bit of leverage. The Lawrence raid was far from unprecedented, but most people are unaware of Jim Lane's long raid through Missouri. Lane's raid destroyed many towns, culminating in the utter destruction of Osceola, in which two buildings were left standing. The raids of Lane, Montgomery, and Jennison killed as many or more civilians than Quantrill's raid, although not all at the same time. All that having been written, I don't believe revenge is ever a good justification for anything, but there you have it.

I share that opinion.

In Lawrence's case, historians concede besides some houses/culprits having stolen goods, that there were warehouses with stolen goods as well after jayhawking raids auctions were held in the streets of stolen goods. So besides most able bodied men being in militia or having rode with Jayhawkers, any resident would been aware of the widespread criminal activity. If they hadn't complained to authorities to take action against the criminals, they would be culpable and accomplices to the crimes.

It's hard to imagine a town having been so in defiance to US laws for such a long period, as jayhawking dated into 1850's as well it's history of defying US federal marshalls.

Little sympathy for a people who postwar would claim horses with good bloodlines were "out of Missouri by Jennison".

 

[Lusty Murfax]

And some Osceola possessions were found in Lawrence houses.

Harry Truman used to tell a humorous story regarding a request from his Grand Mother whenever he was scheduled to make a speech in kansas. She asked him to try to find and recover her Grand Mother's silverware, while he visited that State.

 

[DanSBHawk]

This is the crux of the contoversy, right here. I realize I am about to poke a hornet's nest of opinion. Twenty years ago I totally agreed with the concept that this was an attack on innocent civilians. I have since been persuaded that most able bodied males in Lawrence were members of militias and all were aware of the criminal enterprise in the trading of stolen goods that was occurring in their town. Lawrence was a very real military target--one that many of the Q-men did NOT want to attack, because it was deemed too dangerous. Q used the jail collapse to motivate the men to attack in revenge, and it turned out to be an effective bit of leverage. The Lawrence raid was far from unprecedented, but most people are unaware of Jim Lane's long raid through Missouri. Lane's raid destroyed many towns, culminating in the utter destruction of Osceola, in which two buildings were left standing. The raids of Lane, Montgomery, and Jennison killed as many or more civilians than Quantrill's raid, although not all at the same time. All that having been written, I don't believe revenge is ever a good justification for anything, but there you have it.

A massacre of civilians, mostly unarmed, is never justified. There's always a lot of finger-pointing with this subject, but the bottom line is that the Lawrence killings were murder. Even the killings of the militia members and union troops were murder, as they were not in battle.

 

[Patrick H]

Harry Truman used to tell a humorous story regarding a request from his Grand Mother whenever he was scheduled to make a speech in kansas. She asked him to try to find and recover her Grand Mother's silverware, while he visited that State.

Young Harry went to visit his grandmother one Sunday after a national guard meeting. He was wearing his blue uniform. She nearly fainted away, and then forbade him to ever wear his blue uniform in her house again. This story was in David McCullough's excellent biography of Truman.

 

[History hoarder63]

Here is a link to the virtual cemetery of Quantrill's men and associates put together by Ron Mac at FindAGrave.

Capt. William Quantrill's Guerrillas - Find a Grave Virtual Cemetery

A curated virtual cemetery.

www.findagrave.com

Seven more confirmed Quantrill men are:
James "Wick" Welch, Decatur Cemetery, Decatur, Benton County, Arkansas (Warren Welch's brother)
Lemuel "Lem" Welch, Coats Cemetery, Benton County, Arkansas (Warren Welch's brother)
Thomas Warren, Rogers Cemetery, Rogers, Benton County, Arkansas
Joseph Coyl, Bozarth Cemetery, Gentry, Benton County, Arkansas
Jesse Carl, Gentry Cemetery, Gentry, Benton County, Arkansas
Samuel Hays, IOOF Cemetery, Eureka Springs, Carroll County, Arkansas (not kin to Upton Hays)
Mac Poisal, Sons Chapel Cemetery, Fayetteville, Washington County, Arkansas
Simeon Welch, Maysville Cemetery, Maysville, Benton County, Arkansas (The Welch brothers' father)

This is posted as a follow up to the Jawhawkers-5th Kansas Cavalry. It is for those interested for research, study, analyzing, genealogy or other purpose intended.

Here are pieces from my personal collection. Tattered CDV of John S. Bar hill and two petitions she submitted to the United Daughters of the Confederacy in the 1920's.

John S. Barnhill rode with "Bloody Bill" Anderson and was with Quantrill

Here is a link to the virtual cemetery of Quantrill's men and associates put together by Ron Mac at FindAGrave.

Capt. William Quantrill's Guerrillas - Find a Grave Virtual Cemetery

A curated virtual cemetery.

www.findagrave.com

Seven more confirmed Quantrill men are:
James "Wick" Welch, Decatur Cemetery, Decatur, Benton County, Arkansas (Warren Welch's brother)
Lemuel "Lem" Welch, Coats Cemetery, Benton County, Arkansas (Warren Welch's brother)
Thomas Warren, Rogers Cemetery, Rogers, Benton County, Arkansas
Joseph Coyl, Bozarth Cemetery, Gentry, Benton County, Arkansas
Jesse Carl, Gentry Cemetery, Gentry, Benton County, Arkansas
Samuel Hays, IOOF Cemetery, Eureka Springs, Carroll County, Arkansas (not kin to Upton Hays)
Mac Poisal, Sons Chapel Cemetery, Fayetteville, Washington County, Arkansas
Simeon Welch, Maysville Cemetery, Maysville, Benton County, Arkansas (The Welch brothers' father)

This is posted as a follow up to the Jawhawkers-5th Kansas Cavalry. It is for those interested for research, study, analyzing, genealogy or other purpose intended.

Here are some items from my personal collection. A tattered CDV image of John S. Barnhill and two petitions to the United Daughters of the Confederacy submitted in 1920.

Barnhill originally was in Co D of Shank's 12th Missiouri Regiment. Later he rode with "Bloody" Bill Anderson and Quantrill where he was captured at Herrodsburg Kentucky. According to his daughter's UDC petition, he was at the battles of Mark's Mill, Steel's Run, Cane Hill, Pratie Grove, Springfield Hartsville and Quantrill's Lawrence Raid.

 

[Lusty Murfax]

Young Harry went to visit his grandmother one Sunday after a national guard meeting. He was wearing his blue uniform. She nearly fainted away, and then forbade him to ever wear his blue uniform in her house again. This story was in David McCullough's excellent biography of Truman.

I read McCullough's book right after it came out. Highly entertaining, I recommend it. Its probably still packed away in one of our moving boxes. Now I'll have to fetch it and read it again.

 

[archieclement]

A massacre of civilians, mostly unarmed, is never justified. There's always a lot of finger-pointing with this subject, but the bottom line is that the Lawrence killings were murder. Even the killings of the militia members and union troops were murder, as they were not in battle.

Indeed, would agree they should have turned in murderers in their midst such as jayhawkers or fanatics like John Brown.........Their failures repeatedly to do so lost any claim of innocence.

Also agree they should have let Federal Marshall's do their jobs....as well local and state authorities should have dealt with the criminal activity.......again their repeated failures to do so lost any claim of innocence.

No argument that vigilantism is often a response to such failures. It is indeed preferable for the proper authorities to actually do their jobs and enforce US laws, making vigilantism unnecessary. It's always sad and unfortunate when the supposed authorities are themselves corrupt and in league with the criminals.